ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is preparing to launch its first-ever National Women Entrepreneurship Policy in 2025, a landmark initiative aimed at boosting women-led businesses and unlocking more than $40 billion in economic facilitation next year, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries & Production Haroon Akhtar Khan announced on yesterday.
He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony jointly organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) in Islamabad to observe Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. The event brought together representatives from more than 21 Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry across Pakistan.
Haroon Akhtar praised the resilience, creativity and entrepreneurial drive of Pakistani women, emphasising that they had not waited for opportunities but created them. “Women are not asking for help—they are asking for fair opportunities,” he noted, adding that women were no longer simply participating in the economy but were actively driving it forward.
He said the upcoming National Women Entrepreneurship Policy reflects Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s commitment to placing women at the centre of Pakistan’s economic transformation. He added that women were now emerging as strong business leaders, from homes and micro-enterprises to the global market, and the government intends to shift from basic facilitation to enabling women to assume leadership roles.
Discussing the broader economic landscape, Haroon Akhtar highlighted that many small businesses in Pakistan had grown into full-fledged industries without formal financial support. He projected that economic facilitation in 2025 could exceed $40 billion, and that Pakistan could further strengthen its position if it gains market access in 25 additional countries.
He also underscored that the government’s new Export Facilitation Policy would support entrepreneurs—particularly women—in expanding internationally. Enhanced digital connectivity and mobile access, he noted, were shaping a new economic model designed to meet modern market demands.
Speaking about internal government planning, he shared that when the prime minister asked who authored the new economic roadmap, he responded that it was produced by the Economic Implementation Cell (EIC), reflecting a shift toward innovative governance.
SMEDA CEO Nadia added that the government remains committed to empowering women through SME-focused initiatives, loans and skills development.
Prominent business leaders including FPCCI Vice President Qurat-ul-Ain, Tariq Jadoon, Karim Aziz Malik and Malik Sohail Hussain attended the ceremony, which reaffirmed strong institutional support for women-led enterprise growth.
